Corner mountable brackets

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are corner mountable brackets having sides which must be flexed to fit into place. The angle made by the sides of the bracket differs from the corner angle where the bracket is to be mounted so that the bracket must be flexed to fit into the corner. The bracket exerts spring tension against the corner so that it tends to push against the corner members. To fasten the bracket in place, its sides are provided with fastening means, such as sharp tabs projecting toward the walls forming the corner. The tabs are forced into the corner members by the spring tension.

United States Patent Barriger 1 CORNER MOUNTABLE BRACKETS [72] Inventor:Forrest C. Barriger, 2617 Northwood Dr., San Jose, Calif. 95132 [22]Filed: Sept. 26, 1969 [211 App]. No.: 861,332

[52] US. Cl ..248/222, 287/2092 D [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 21/00 [58] Fieldof Search ..248/222, 300; 108/42; 287/ 189.36 1-1, 20.92 C, 20.92 D,20.92 Y

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,906,487 9/1959 Simon..248/248 682,192 9/1901 l-lazen ..248/222 939,005 11/1909 Goedeke..248/222 X 2,465,635 3/1949 Conterio ..108/42 Lenhardt ..287/ l 89.36Debelius ..248/222 X Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Attorney-Paul B.Fihe [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed herein are corner mountable brackets havingsides which must be flexed to fit into place. The angle made by thesides of the bracket differs from the corner angle where the bracket isto be mounted so that the bracket must be flexed to fit into the comer.The bracket exerts spring tension against the corner so that it tends topush against the comer members. To fasten the bracket in place, itssides are provided with fastening means, such as sharp tabs projectingtoward the walls forming the comer. The tabs are forced into the comermembers by the spring tension.

' 1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP I 9 I972 INVENTOR. FORREST c.BARRlGER PATENT AGENT CORNER MOUNTABLE BRACKETS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The invention relates to the field of support brackets andmore particularly, to easily securable corner mountable brackets.

Most support brackets are mounted by means of conventional fasteningdevices such as screws and nails. With todays high labor costs the timeexpended in installing conventional brackets with conventional fasteningdevices usually far exceeds the cost of the brackets. In largeconstruction jobs where hundreds of brackets are used to mount fixtures,and the like, the expenditure in terms of labor becomes considerable.Furthermore, prior art fastening devices tend to scar or deface the wallwhere used, leaving unsightly holes when the device is removed.

Support brackets which are used in the home often lose some of theirattractiveness when fastening devices penetrate the sides of thebracket. For example, brackets used to display art objects must befastened through a wall so that the fastening devices do not detractfrom the object displayed. If the sides of the bracket are notpenetrated, support for the bracket usually requires bracing frombeneath the bracket. Usually such bracing can be hidden from view, butnevertheless, is often difficult to install and increases the amount ofoccupied wall space.

Still a further problem with support brackets of the prior art is thatthey are usually rigid so that they fit snugly between corner membersintersecting at a precise angle, usually 90. When the intersecting wallmembers where a bracket is mounted do not meet at precisely 90, the fitof the bracket may leave something to be desired in terms of appearanceand support properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide areadily mountable support bracket for corners whose approximate angle isknown. Another object of the invention is to provide a bracket which maybe mounted into position in but a few seconds. Still another object ofthe invention is to provide a decorative bracket which requires nounderlying bracing or support and has a generally asthetically pleasingappearance.

The above objects are achieved with a support bracket which includesfirst and second sides which are flexibly joined together. The sides areat least partially co-extensive so that the line joining them is commonto an edge of each side thereby forming an angle between the sides. Theangle between the sides is different from that of the comer in which thebracket is to be mounted. For example, when the bracket is to be mountedin a corner inside of a rectangular room, the bracket would have anangle slightly greater than 90". On the other hand, when the bracket isto be mounted on a rectangular beam, i.e. an outside comer, the bracketwould have an angle of slightly less than 90. In each case the bracketsides would have to be flexed, one way or the other, to fit into or onthe aforementioned corner and provide spring tension against beingremoved therefrom. To fasten the bracket into place, fastening means areassociated with at least one side of the bracket so that the bracket maybe secured into position. The fastening means are preferably sharp tabsAll three sides are flexibly joined as mentioned above,

with the bracket assuming a U-shape. The two angles formed by the threesides of the bracket are slightly different from those of the twocorners or any two substantially parallel members where the bracket isto be mounted so that once again the bracket must be flexed to fit intothe two comers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of theapparatus of the invention mounted in a wall comer.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken in line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 1 illustrating a demounted or free standingposition for the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention for use with outside corners.

FIG. 5 is another alternate embodiment of the present invention for usebetween two studs.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the fastening means used in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of the fastening means of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is another alternate embodiment of the fastening means of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The apparatus of the presentinvention will be described with reference to the Figures. In FIG. 1 asupport bracket 11 of the present invention is shown mounted in a corner12 formed by two intersecting wall portions 13 and 14. The bracket isseen to be comprised of a first side 15 and a second side 16 being madefrom a single sheet of material and roundly bent along a line 17. Thesides 15, 16 are generally co-extensive from the upper end of the sides,but side 16 includes a first extension 18 which, when folded upward, isperpendicular to the sides l5, l6 and spans the space between them. Whenthe first extension 18 is folded upwardly it forms the supporting partof the bracket 1 1. The side 15 includes a slight second extension 19which when folded upward is generally perpendicular to the sides 15, 16and interlocks with the first extension 18 from the side 16.Interlocking is accomplished with a slit in the second extension 19 sothat one portion of the extension 19 passes above the first extension18, another portion 19a below it.

Fastening means are preferably attached to both sides 15, 16 of thebracket 11 in order to secure it in place. In FIG. 1 the tabs 21, 22 onside 15 tend to secure that side in place while the tabs 23, 24 tend tosecure the side 16 into place. The tabs are especially effective sincethe sides, 15, 16 are made to converge at an angle different from thatof the corner formed by the wall members l3, 14. Since the bracket 11 isshown in an inside mounting the angle between the sides l5, 16 would beslightly greater than the corner in which the i the tabs 22, 24 may beseen to be projecting into the wall members l3, 14 thereby securing eachside in place. FIG. 2 also shows the second extension having the secondportion 19a indicated by the dotted line resting below the extension 18to form the interlocking feature mentioned above.

FIG. 3 shows the bracket of FIG. 2 when the bracket is demounted. Aspreviously explained, the angle between the sides of the bracket l5, 16is approximately 100 when the bracket is free standing. When the bracket11 is placed into the right angle position such as in FIG. 2, thebracket is flexed and placed under spring tension so that the bracketassumes the shape of the comer formed by the wall members l3, 14.However, even if the comet angle deviates slightly from a perfect 90angle the bracket will assume the desired shape. The spring tensionwhich exists in the bracket may be harnessed to prevent the bracket fromspringing outwardly. This is further assured by the fastening means 21,22 and 23, 24 which positively secure the bracket in position.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of FIG. 1

' wherein the bracket 31 is mounted on an exterior corner such as thatof a rectangular timber 30. In this case, sides 32,33 of the bracket,when in a free standing position, form an angle slightly less than thatof the corner on which the bracket is to be mounted. For example, whenthe bracket is mounted on a right angle such as that formed by thetimber 30, the choice of angle is approximately 80. The tabs 36, 37, and38, 39 once again face the comer formed by the sides of the timber 30.Note that in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the sides of the bracket areperfectly symmetrical with the support portion of the bracket beingformed by the rounded corner 38 which is suitable for providing supportto generally linear members.

FIG. 5 shows another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1wherein the third side 43 is joined as an integal extension of thebracket sides 41, 42. The side 43 is flexibly joined to the bracket side41 along the line 48. The included angle formed by the sides 43, 42 isdifferent from e.g. slightly greater than the corner where the bracketis to be mounted. When the two sides are placed in tension, the entirebracket 40 may be flexed into position with the tabs 44, 45 and 46, 47finally securing bracket.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 show various embodiments of the fastening means usedto secure the various embodiments of the present invention in place.FIG. 6 shows a fork configuration wherein a three tined tab 51 projectsoutwardly from the sides of the bracket 52. The precise size and shapeof the tines of the tab 51 are selected in accord with the material towhich the bracket is to be fastened. For example, in masonry workgenerally flatter tines are used than against wood.

FIG. 7 shows a flat rounded tab 53 projecting from 225922 21 it 12%???31123;5. ci't'l hzltiiini metal walls. The rounded tab 53 is similar inshape and cross section to a partially pushed out "knock-out" of thetype used in household electrical outlet terminals.

FIG. 8 shows an elongated nail type tab which is bent inwardly, thenoutwardly at right angles with a reverse bend. The tab 56 hasa sharpenedend suitable for deep penetration into wood for permanently securing abracket into position. The nail type tab 56 is especially useful inconstruction projects where brackets are mounted for permanentinstallation. The tabs shown in FIG. 6, 7, and 8 are the preferablemeans for mounting the various brackets into position. It will berealized, however, that there are various alternative fastening meanssuch as adhesives which may be placed on the sides of the bracketsfacing the corners wherein the bracket is to be mounted.

When using the bracket of the present invention, the

bracket is merely flexed into the comer where the bracket is to residethen allowed to push against the sides of the comer so that the tabs mayform an indentation and thereby secure the bracketinto position. Whenthe nail type tabs of FIG. 8 are used, a blow with a hammer on theinwardly projecting portion of the tab will further secure the supportbracket of the present invention into a permanent position. i

The present support bracket has a variety of uses limited only by theimagination of the user. For example, the bracket forms a perfect onepiece shelf, as illustrated by the embodiment of FIG. 1. Furthermore,clothes racks, and hangers may be devised by simple modifications andadditions to the bracket of the present invention. As an example, aclothes rack may be devised by mounting two of the support'brackets 11in opposite corners and extending a telescoping rod between the twobrackets. The bracket may be reversed in its mounting whereverdesirable. For example, the apparatus of FIG. 1 may be turned upsidedown to form a support shelf. The extensions 19, 19a insure that theshelf l8 will remain. substantially rigid when the weight is placed onit either from above or below.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A support bracket for comer mounting comprisingfirst and second integral sides flexibly joined along a line common toan edge of each side thereby forming an angle between said sides, saidangle being different from that of the corner in which said bracket isto be mounted so that said bracket sides must be flexed to fit saidcomer, the first of said sides having an integral extension foldedupwardly to be substantially perpendicular to said side and to span thespace between said sides thereby forming a support between the sides ofsaid bracket, the second of said sides having integral spaced extensionsfolded upwardly and arranged to receive therebetween said integralextension of said first side thereby to hold the support in supportingposition, and fastening means including tabs struck integrally from bothsides of said bracket facing the corner wherein said bracket is to bemounted.

II II II ll

1. A support bracket for corner mounting comprising first and secondintegral sides flexibly joined along a line common to an edge of eachside thereby forming an angle between said sides, said angle beingdifferent from that of the corner in which said bracket is to be mountedso that said bracket sides must be flexed to fit said corner, the firstof said sides having an integral extension folded upwardly to besubstantially perpendicular to said side and to span the space betweensaid sides thereby forming a support between the sides of said bracket,the second of said sides having integral spaced extensions foldedupwardly and arranged to receive therebetween said integral extension ofsaid first side thereby to hold the support in supporting position, andfastening means including tabs struck integrally from both sides of saidbracket facing the corner wherein said bracket is to be mounted.